France-based Monte Cristo Games will be closing down this week they announce, following the failure of their MMO-based Cities XL.

A subscription-based urban city builder, Cities XL was thought to be a successor to SimCity, but numbers weren't on the studios side.

"This is with deep regrets that we officially announce today the closure of our studio. As such Monte Cristo will close its door this week. We leave behind us a couple regrets but also, more important, a lot of good memories..." posted Monte Cristo on fan site Simtropolis, reports Big Download. Cities XL also supported a singleplayer mode.

"A publisher has shown up who will pick up Cities XL’s license, and who will continue to sell the game. This company will surely make itself known soon. We are confident that we leave Cities XL in good hands."

The online login system to play the game will remain active pledges the developer, but "obviously the online support is now longer available and we apologize for this.

"One last time all the Monte Cristo team members would like to wholeheartedly thank the Cities XL players and community members who so dedicatedly took part in the life and evolution of this wonderful project," they added.

In January of this year the MMO portion of Cities XL was closed down due to a lack of numbers, meaning only the singleplayer game would function. It was an ambitious goal to get player made cities connected online and sharing their prosperity.